The government is discussing the adoption of EU norms that facilitate the free movement of workers and professionals in the European Union.

The changed law would treat third-country relatives of EU citizens working in Estonia more equally, and would serve to avoid discrimination, ETV reported on Thursday.

The change of legislation would extend the Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner’s competency. Helping EU citizens working in Estonia as well as their relatives to defend their rights would become part of the office’s duties, while job placement services would be provided by the existing information centers.

Approximately 15,000 EU citizens applied for temporary right of residence in Estonia over the past six years.